International Organization: ECOWAS – SS3 Government Lesson Note (Second Term)

ECOWAS is the Economic Community of West African States. It was established on 28 May 1975, when the treaty creating it was signed in Lagos, Nigeria. Its member states work together to promote cooperation and integration, raise the living standards of their peoples, and keep peace and economic stability in West Africa.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State the meaning of ECOWAS and narrate a brief history of ECOWAS.
2. List some nations that are part of ECOWAS.
3. State the aims and objectives of ECOWAS.
4. Discuss the problems of ECOWAS.

What is ECOWAS?

ECOWAS means Economic Community of West African States. It was established on 28 May 1975 after the treaty establishing it was signed in Lagos, Nigeria.

Which countries are members of ECOWAS?

The member countries of ECOWAS are:

1. Sierra Leone
2. Gambia
3. Cape Verde
4. Guinea
5. Guinea-Bissau
6. Côte d’Ivoire
7. Liberia
8. Burkina Faso
9. Mali
10. Niger
11. Nigeria
12. Senegal
13. Benin
14. Togo
15. Ghana

What are the aims and objectives of ECOWAS?

1. To promote cooperation and integration.
2. To establish an economic union in West Africa in order to raise the living standards of its peoples.
3. To maintain and enhance economic stability.
4. To strengthen relations among member states.
5. To contribute to the progress and development of the African continent.
6. To implement infrastructural schemes and joint developmental projects in the areas of transportation, energy and so on.
7. To harmonise the monetary policies of member countries.
8. To harmonise the economic and industrial policies of member countries.
9. To establish a common fund for cooperation, compensation and development.

What has ECOWAS achieved?

1. ECOWAS has acted as an arbiter in regional conflicts through ECOMOG (ECOWAS Cease-fire Monitoring Group). It helped to restore peace in Liberia, intervened in Sierra Leone and restored order in 1997, and also intervened in the civil war in Guinea-Bissau. This is a credit to ECOWAS.
2. ECOWAS offered assistance to crumbling West African economies, especially after the departure of colonialism, when the colonial masters withdrew their support.
3. Member states committed themselves not to attack one another through the non-aggression treaty signed in 1978. This promoted peace in West Africa.
4. ECOWAS put up a strong standing army (ECOMOG) of 15 battalions to deal with West African problems in case of a crisis. This has limited aggression and counter-aggression.
5. ECOWAS has a clause of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. This promoted a period of peace and development in West Africa.
6. ECOWAS has taken large projects among member states to completion, projects that would otherwise have called for external assistance and borrowing. For example, the West African Power Pool was started to construct power stations in different countries of West Africa. This boosted industrial development, for example the Diama and Manantali dams in Senegal and Mali respectively.
7. ECOWAS ensured free movement of people, goods and services. This was enforced at the 4th Heads of State summit in Dakar, Senegal, where passport and visa restrictions were removed. This reduced unemployment and promoted the spirit of togetherness.
8. Trade has been enhanced through the removal of customs duties and tariffs on commodities originating from West Africa. This promoted industrialisation in West Africa. It was approved in 2002.
9. Trees were planted to reclaim the Sahel region on the recommendation and approval of ECOWAS. This has conserved the environment, and steps to improve the environment have been upheld since 1982.
10. ECOWAS has represented West Africa effectively on the international scene and has gained access to international markets such as AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act). It also deals with the European Union. This has enhanced West African bargaining power on prices in the world market.

What are the problems or failures of ECOWAS?

1. Language differences among member countries.
2. Currency differences among member countries.
3. Irregular payment of contributions or dues by member states.
4. The existence of blocs within the organisation, that is, the Anglophone and Francophone blocs.
5. The affinity of some member states to their former colonial masters.
6. Constant military coups, wars and political instability in member states.
7. Weak national link with the secretariat.
8. Fear of dominant and unequal development.

Evaluation

1. State the meaning of ECOWAS and narrate a brief history of ECOWAS.
2. List some nations that are part of ECOWAS.
3. State the aims and objectives of ECOWAS.
4. Discuss the problems of ECOWAS.

Assignment

Classwork: answer the evaluation questions above.

Teaching techniques and materials

Instructional techniques

• Identification
• Explanation
• Questions and answers
• Demonstration
• Videos from source

Instructional materials

• Videos
• Loudspeaker
• Textbook
• Pictures